by Sarah Williams
It’s that time of year again to get out in the garden. We have come up with a few helpful tips to help avoid those body aches and pain.
First things first, plan. Rome was not built in a day, and neither will your garden. Set goals to ensure you don’t overdo it in the garden; 20 minutes can easily turn into 2 hours of gardening. Select a section of the garden, choose a task, and gather the necessary supplies to ensure a manageable gardening day.
Find your perfect gardening outfit – no, really. Restrictive clothing can influence how we move. If you’re working overhead, make sure you can comfortably lift your arms. Planning on doing a lot of kneeling? Avoid tight-fitting trousers.
Take a break! Treat gardening like a sport, warm up with smaller tasks, then work up to the bigger tasks. Try to take breaks every 20-30 minutes to allow your body some recovery time. A quick stretch or a tea break will go a long way.
Once you have chosen your activity, do you have the right tools? The right tools are everything. Back spasms and repetitive strain injuries are common garden-related injuries we see in the clinic. If you are using an electric tool, try limiting the time you use it. Consider tools with grips and cushioning to save your wrists and hands. Wheelbarrows can help save you the trouble of lifting heavy items. Long-handled gardening tools can dramatically help to reduce the risk of strain while gardening.
Keep checking your knees. If you are bending down, bend from your knees rather than your waist, to reduce strain in your lower back. If you are working on your knees, invest in a kneeling pad or chair to take pressure off your knees. Growing plants on walls and raised beds can be a game-changer, as you rarely need to bend over, and they look great!
Any garden-related aches and pains? Give us a call on 01792 277211 or contact the clinic
